Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed that he will not yield to pressure to stop demolition of shanties that pose security threats to the residents of the territory.

He made the vow while reacting to protests by occupants Ruga, an illegal settlement at Wuye, behind Finance Quarters, harbouring more than 10,000 illegal occupants that  was demolished on November 5,  by a  Ministerial Tasks Force named “Operation Sweep”  that had been demolishing illegal settlements across the city.

The occupants during the protest, called for the minister’s sack for demolishing their illegal settlements, claiming it was built by their forefather.

The illegal occupants of Ruga with support from some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) had on Friday protested the demolition, asking Preident Bola Tinubu to sack Wike.

But speaking on Sunday evening when he inspected demolished shanties in Ruga,  Wike said no amount of intimidation, blackmail or abuses by the illegal occupants or CSOs would deter the government from doing its job.

He expressed worry that the area had been demolished 22 times and yet the illegal occupants have refused to leave.

He warned that would not be a party to a situation where an illegal settlement would be demolished for 22 times and still standing.

“Be assured that we will continue with the demolition of shanties that pose a security threat to FCT, Abuja.

“It doesn’t matter what colouration; whatever name anybody wants to give to it, we will do the right thing and nothing will stop us,” he said.

Wike warned the illegal occupants against rebuilding any structure in the demolished area, saying the FCT Administration has a responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of all residents.

He explained that the shanties were demolished because security agencies have identified Ruga as one of the areas that pose security threats to the FCT,

He added that security agencies were working day and night to keep Abuja safe.

“This is where you have the rail line; this is a buffer zone and if we allow these kinds of people to live here, what it means, anything can happen to our train.

“Nobody will take that risk. You can imagine the number of persons that are living here, whom we cannot identify.

“We have told them that nobody should build anything, whether temporary or permanent, until the government has taken a final decision on what to do with the land,” he said.

He asked the spokesman of the illegal occupants to nominate five persons, including himself and meet with government officials on Tuesday to find a way out for the people.

On other shanties across the cities, the Minister said that all shanties would be demolished, while some of the areas would be converted to bus terminals.

Earlier, the spokesman of the occupants, Malam Abba Garo, said that although they could not lay claim to the land but have been living in the area for the past 39 years.

Garo noted that the area had been demolished 22 times, but occupants returned and rebuilt because they have no alternative accommodation.

He described the Ruga as a “mini-Nigeria” with people from different parts of the country represented in the community.

He pleaded with Wike to find them alternative land to settle, stressing that they have nowhere else to go.

NAN

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced that he would present the 2025 budget to the Victor Oko-Jombo-led State House of Assembly.

The governor noted that the government would continue to collaborate with the Assembly to improve the lives of Rivers residents, highlighting the positive relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government, as demonstrated in the screening of nominees and the prompt passage of executive bills.

Fubara said this at the official unveiling of two ultra-modern community town halls and the launch of a tertiary scholarship and empowerment programme by the Speaker at Akiama and Aganya communities in Bonny Local Government Area on Saturday.

This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi.

Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Edison Ehie, the governor said: “The government and the people of Rivers State heartily congratulate you and thank you for being a good ambassador of the Ibani Kingdom. We assure you that, as the executive arm, while the legislative arm remains independent, we will continue to collaborate to ensure prosperity for our people.

“I thank you, Mr Speaker, for your support to the Rivers State government, as seen in your cooperation. The Speaker has facilitated the screening of caretaker committee chairmen, expedited executive requests, and will soon play a vital role in enacting the 2025 budget.”

Fubara added that the Speaker’s focus on constituency projects reflects his role as an elected representative, contrasting it with the inaction of 25 former lawmakers he described as “Abuja-based politicians.”

He continued: “Constituency projects are a testament to elected representatives’ commitment to their people. Meanwhile, the 25 former Assembly members who dismissed themselves — have they initiated any projects? Do we see them inspecting or commissioning anything? These are Abuja-based politicians!”

The governor commended the Speaker for establishing the town halls, providing financial empowerment to 100 Bonny indigenes, and awarding tertiary scholarships to 30 Bonny students.

In his remarks, the Speaker thanked the people of Bonny for their support for the 10th Assembly and expressed confidence in his backing of the governor.

He stressed that the Assembly would stay focused despite opposition from “enemies of the state” or the 25 former members.

Oko-Jombo revealed that the 2025 budget would soon be presented to the 10th Assembly and confirmed that Bonny Local Government Area would be included in upcoming infrastructure projects.

He added: “We will continue working tirelessly to ensure Bonny Kingdom’s development. Many needs remain, but as the Speaker, I assure you that the 2025 budget, which will soon be presented by His Excellency, will include Bonny Local Government Area.”

The Osun State Government has debunked repeated fake information from the opposition operatives, and an online platform which accused the government of recklessness in public expenditure. It described the news as false and a misrepresentation of facts, to be corrected by direct fact checking.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the State Government fingered such false reports with headlines as Adeleke blew N38bn in 21 months; splashed N8bn on vehicles in 2024; zero funding for gratuity, pension arrears; N38 billion spent on Governor’s Office; N8.09 billion on vehicle purchase; 500 million plus on entertainment among others.

Before puncturing the fake news, let me reiterate that the Osun State Government took a significant step towards fiscal accountability and transparency by making its budget implementation report accessible to the public on its official website as part of efforts to promote sustainability and Open Governance.

“The public release of the document is a clear confirmation that the government has nothing to hide and that all details provided in terms of expenditure are public spirited with high sense financial prudence and discipline.

On the allegation of huge expenses on vehicle purchase, the public is first reminded of how the Oyetola team carted away all government vehicles in 2022, making it imperative for the government to purchase vehicles for statewide operations.

This N8 billion figure represents the cumulative procurement of vehicles by the Bureau of General Services for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to replace those carted away by the previous administration whose worth was ₦4,384,838,696.39 as at then and which ordinarily would have costed ₦18,488,312,413.88 to replace given the current value of the naira.

On pension and gratuity arrears, the current administration inherited a huge sum of ₦35bn pension and gratuity arrears from the previous administration and within just two years, the Adeleke Administration had cleared four years’ worth of ₦16.2bn pension and gratuity arrears spanning 2017 to 2020.

The public is invited to note that the  immediate past administration ruled between 2019 and 2022 and the total pension paid within the period was N11b plus compared to Adeleke’s N16 billion plus under two years.

On expenditure in Governor’s office, a review of expenditure within Governor’s office between 2019 to 2022 when Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola governed the state showed a humongous amount running into several billions of naira.

While Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola spent ₦9,615,519,767.34 between 20I9 to 2020 when the average exchange rate was about ₦300 per Dollar, the current government expended the sum of 26,185,980,555.14 from 2022 to date, when the average exchange rate was ₦1,300 per Dollar, as capital and overhead expenditure in the Governor’s office.

It is however noteworthy to add that Office the Governor comprises several agencies and units including the Governor’s personal office as an infinitesimal portion. It is disingenuous to put legitimate expenditure of statutory agencies and units on the head of the governor.

On the issue of security votes , we insist that the state governor is not drawing any security vote but the state government spent money on security services and operations and emergencies in the state which are processed within the compass of due process and financial regulations.

On a report by an online news medium that Osun state spent over Five Hundred Million Naira on entertainment, we educate the medium that Osun Government in the last one year or so has hosted several high profile national events bordering on beneficial policy meetings, hosting of ministers, Governors and even top state officials from the Presidency.

The medium is invited to note that hosting states spent fund on transportation,  accommodation and event organisation, all which were conducted under shoestring budget and within the context of hyper inflation plaguing the country.

The state benefited immensely as several developmental projects are attracted into the state while Osun state is gradually assuming the position of event hub of the South West, boosting the agenda of the administration on the cultural, creative and tourism industry.

We notice deliberate endeavour of the opposition to dent the image of the current government by misinterpreting, misrepresenting and fabricating financial conjectures especially after it has become overwhelmed by current good governance delivery. It is however gratifying to note that Osun people understand the gimmick of the unelectable opposition and are not falling for surveyors of fake news who failed miserably when they had opportunities to govern the state.

The public is aware through fact check that the increment in federal allocation to Osun state are being channeled to workers’ welfare, infrastructure upgrade, social sector renewal, small business financial supports as well as phased and liquidation of billions of naira in pension and salary debt inherited from the former administration.

We urge the public to ignore agents of fake news and to further fact check the preceding submissions from the state government to reaffirm that the current administration has shown exceptional prudence in resource management, outperforming its predecessor despite today’s challenging global economic landscape.